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Lesson Plans


Re: Sand sculpture medium

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Thom Maltbie (tmaltbie)
Fri, 15 Jan 1999 07:13:52 -0500 (EST)

Very fine sand can be combined with white glue and water to form a carvable
block. Mix the sand (I've tried Sakrete Play Sand - it's very fine, Fine
silica sand would work but is a health hazard) with a half and half mixture
of the glue and water to the consistency of brown sugar. It should clump
when you sqeeze it, but it can easily be too wet. Pack it into a cardboard
box or an oiled plastic bowl. Give it a couple days to dry.The block can be
carved with files, hacksaw blades,etc. It is not permanent, especially when
exposed to water. Try acrylic medium?

I experimented with this stuff last summer, but have lost my notes. You can
try it. I also tried plaster and fine sand (can be dusty) and cement mortar
mix (contains lime - can be nasty on hands), both mixed to that brown sugar
consistency. The sand has to be fine and homogenous.

I came upon the idea through a sculptor who was using casting cores
discarded from an auto plant. They were a sand mixture that was made solid
by an unknown binding agent. I didn't quite trust the material because of
an odd odor. His name is Michael Jackson, working in the Indianapolis area,
available for school workshops.

See what you can do.

thom

Thom Maltbie
South Ripley Elementary School
1568 South Benham Road
Versailles, IN 47042
812-689-5383
tmaltbie